KOCHI: It was after the birth of her second child that Dr Anu C K, an assistant surgeon, started thinking about joining a gym. The intention was nothing but to deal with the difficulties, both mental and physical, that she faced after delivery.
Though Anu joined a gym, she could not continue with it. It was then that she came to know about kickboxing. Around three years ago, she started training in the martial art.
“I attended kickboxing classes every Sunday. Physical exercise can help relieve stress and other emotional issues we face. Also, I was suffering from body pain and other ailments. So, whenever I had time, I attended sessions. It gave me some kind of joy,” says Dr Anu, who works at the Koodallur Community Health Centre in Kottayam.
In 2023, after the death of Dr Vandana Das at the Taluk Hospital in Kollam, Anu became alert about her safety. That incident motivated her to focus on kickboxing.
“As doctors, we need to deal with different types of people. We cannot demand that the state, hospital management, or the patients ensure our safety. It is better to learn such skills. Vandana’s death affected me and I decided to take kickboxing seriously. Not to participate in championships, but to ensure my protection,” she adds.
Anu, 36, is a mother to two children — one six years old and the other four.
Holding a green belt in kickboxing, Anu decided to participate in the national championship following the instruction of her trainer Santhosh Kumar K P. And she returned with a gold medal, defeating a 22-year-old opponent in the title bout.
“There were several challenges when I started training. But my trainer gave me the support to continue. People used to tease and advise me that gym is better. But my husband and guru supported me. I never expected I would win a medal. To participate in the championship itself was a huge achievement,” she says.